Clutch and mammography device

ABSTRACT

A clutch with a first clutch disk and a second clutch disk is provided. The first clutch disk includes at least one cylindrical shaft, in which a sphere is mounted in a displaceable fashion in each instance so as to press against a spring. The second clutch disk, which, for each shaft of the first clutch disk, includes a recess for partially receiving a sphere.

The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date of DE10 2007 057 287.7, filed Nov. 28, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Design engineers, in differing areas of technology, are faced withdeploying clutches that correspond to the respective situation and whichallow simple but effective and reliable transmission of power between adrive motor and a gear mechanism or between different parts of amotorized drive system. The solution is a function of the requirementsof the situation with regard to mechanical loading capacity, safety,operating capacity and similar criteria.

When constructing mammography devices, for example, a motorizedcompression aid, which is not able to exert compression forces above 200Newtons, is used. In this process, the compression force must bemaintained in the event of a power outage and it must be ensured thatthe compression force can be manually canceled.

With known compression units, the overload protection is realized, forexample, by a shear pin in the form of a clamping sleeve. When theoverload protection shears, the compression unit is, however, unusableand is replaced. In the event of a power outage, the compression forcecan in any event be manually cancelled by a hand wheel.

SUMMARY

The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the problems ordrawbacks inherent in the related art. For example, in one embodiment, aclutch is provided. The clutch includes a first clutch disk with atleast one cylindrical shaft, in which a sphere is mounted in adisplaceable fashion in each instance so as to press against a spring ineach instance and with a second clutch disk, which, for each shaft ofthe first clutch disk, is in each instance equipped with a recess forpartially receiving a sphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a clutch;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a sectional image of a clutch

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a motor in an unlocked state; and

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a clutch with a motor in the lockedstate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a compression unit of a mammography device. Theperson skilled in the art in other areas of technology easily identifieson the basis of the present descriptions how the invention can beapplied to different areas of technology.

In one embodiment, a clutch is provided with a first clutch disk (KS1)having at least one cylindrical shaft (S), in which a sphere (K) ismounted in a displaceable fashion in each instance so as to pressagainst a spring (F) and with a second clutch disk (KS2), which, foreach shaft (S) of the first clutch disk (KS1), is equipped with a recess(V) for partially receiving a sphere (K) in each instance.

The clutch may be equipped with adjusting screws (JS) on the shaft endsfacing the sphere in each instance.

The clutch may include a jaw clutch (KK) arranged up or downstreamthereof, which can be unlocked with the aid of a clutch fork (KG) thatmay be pivoted in the axial direction with the aid of an unlocking lever(EH).

A mammography device with a motorized compression aid may include aclutch as claimed in one of the preceding claims.

The safety clutch and the emergency release are preferably flangeddirectly on the drive motor. With the inventive safety clutch, thecompression force of up to 200 Newton is preferably transmitted bysprings (F) and steel spheres (K). In the event of an overload, thespring-loaded spheres (K) unlatch from the depressions (V) and the forceclosure is broken. The releasing force may be adjusted by headlessscrews (JS).

In one embodiment, two, preferably hardened clutch disks (KS1, KS2) areconnected in a force-fit fashion by way of a three sprung spheres (K).The sprung spheres (K) may be adjusted to the required torque and thusthe maximum admissible compression force by way of adjusting screws(JS).

If the torque is to lie above the adjusted value, the spheres (K) arepushed out of their counter bearing (V) and the force fit is lost.Accordingly, a disk of the clutch may rotate freely and no force istransmitted to the further device parts, for example, in the mammographydevice on the compression plate.

In the event of a power outage, a jaw clutch (KK) can be unlocked byactuating the emergency release (KK). Accordingly, the clutch and thusthe additional device parts, such as the compression plate in amammography device, is relieved of the compression force. Thedisplacement of the compression plate etc. by hand is now possible.

In one embodiment, a compact unit may include a motor, safety clutch,and an emergency release in an assembly. After the response of thesafety clutch, this automatically reengages after 120 degrees for thetransmission of force of up to 200 Newton. The compression unit and thesafety clutch are then completely functional again.

The emergency release is actuated by way of a button (EH), which cannotbe actuated unintentionally. With continuous actuation of the button(EH), the compression plate or such like can be lifted as quickly aspossible into any desired position. By releasing the button (EH), thecompression plate reengages immediately via the jaw clutch and thecompression plate is fixed to this position.

1. A clutch comprising: a first clutch disk having at least onecylindrical shaft, in which a sphere is mounted in a displaceablefashion so as to press against a spring; and a second clutch disk havinga recess for partially receiving at least one sphere of the at least onecylindrical shaft.
 2. The clutch as claimed in claim 1, comprisingadjusting screws on an end of at least one cylindrical shaft facing thesphere.
 3. The clutch as claimed in claim 1, comprising a jaw clutcharranged upstream of the first clutch disk and second clutch disk, thejaw clutch being operable to be unlocked with a clutch fork, which canbe pivoted in an axial direction with an unlocking lever.
 4. The clutchas claimed in claim 1, comprising a jaw clutch arranged downstream ofthe first clutch disk and second clutch disk, the jaw clutch beingoperable to be unlocked with a clutch fork, which can be pivoted in anaxial direction with an unlocking lever.
 5. The clutch as claimed inclaim 2, comprising a jaw clutch arranged upstream of the first clutchdisk and second clutch disk, the jaw clutch being operable to beunlocked with a clutch fork, which can be pivoted in an axial directionwith an unlocking lever.
 6. The clutch as claimed in claim 2, comprisinga jaw clutch arranged downstream of the first clutch disk and secondclutch disk, the jaw clutch being operable to be unlocked with a clutchfork, which can be pivoted in an axial direction with an unlockinglever.
 7. A mammography device comprising: a motorized compression aidhaving a clutch, the clutch comprising: a first clutch disk having atleast one cylindrical shaft, in which a sphere is mounted in adisplaceable fashion so as to press against a spring; and a secondclutch disk having a recess for partially receiving at least one sphereof the at least one cylindrical shaft.
 8. The clutch as claimed in claim7, comprising adjusting screws on an end of at least one cylindricalshaft facing the sphere.
 9. The clutch as claimed in claim 7, comprisinga jaw clutch arranged upstream of the first clutch disk and secondclutch disk, the jaw clutch being operable to be unlocked with a clutchfork, which can be pivoted in an axial direction with an unlockinglever.
 10. The clutch as claimed in claim 7, comprising a jaw clutcharranged downstream of the first clutch disk and second clutch disk, thejaw clutch being operable to be unlocked with a clutch fork, which canbe pivoted in an axial direction with an unlocking lever.
 11. The clutchas claimed in claim 8, comprising a jaw clutch arranged upstream of thefirst clutch disk and second clutch disk, the jaw clutch being operableto be unlocked with a clutch fork, which can be pivoted in an axialdirection with an unlocking lever.
 12. The clutch as claimed in claim 8,comprising a jaw clutch arranged downstream of the first clutch disk andsecond clutch disk, the jaw clutch being operable to be unlocked with aclutch fork, which can be pivoted in an axial direction with anunlocking lever.